Out of all the theories we have learned about, my favorite would have to be the strengths-based
approach from chapter six in our textbook. In this theory, they discuss the approach as an intervention
that focuses on the client and the client's characteristics in a positive environment (Woodside 2018).
What I really enjoy about this theory is that they ask the client to think about past problems that they
resolved effectively (Woodside 2018). In this situation it allows the client to think of their strengths
versus their weaknesses. As humans, we do enough of berating ourselves and thinking of our
weaknesses but we fail to see what we flourish at. This theory does a great job of challenging clients
to think about their strengths more. This tends to build positivity and confidence within your client.
One example could be a victim dealing with mental health issues, in this situation instead of asking
them what they’re struggling with you can ask then what they did to help themselves that day. It helps
significantly by changing your mentality from a negative space to a positive space.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs theory. Maslow feels physiological needs are the priority in our lives,
followed by safety, security, Love, belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization needs. Maslow
published his first conceptualization of his theory over 50 years ago (Maslow (1943). It has since
become one of the most famous and often-cited theories of human motivation. Maslow recognized
that not everyone followed his hierarchy. Because of the different personalities, it was accredited to
introversion and extroversion. This was recognized by Alderfer based on reorganizing Maslow's
hierarchy. He added how an extroverted or introverted might see their needs differently based on a
level of other or relatedness. I took this to mean not everyone is created equal just because a theory
may work on one person does not mean it will work on everyone, so it's crucial to find ways to reach
people where they are when being a professional in the human services field.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Physiological needs are as follows: Food, water, warmth rest
Safety needs: Security and safety
Belongingness & Love Needs Intimate relationships, friends.
Esteem needs: Prestige feeling of accomplishment
Need to Know & Understand
Aesthetic Needs
Self-actualization: Achieving one's full potential, including creative activities
Transcendence
(Maslow & Lowery, 1998)
edpsycinteractive.org
Abraham Maslow attempted to explain research related to human motivation. Researchers before
Maslow focused on factors separately to explain what motivated human behavior may look like.
Maslow decided to post a grouping of needs, some on deficiency and some on growth needs. In
deficiency needs, he explains each lower need must be met before moving to the next higher level.
Once each requirement has been satisfied. If a deficiency is detected in the future, the individual will
try to remove it.
Maslow believes individuals only act on growth needs if the deficiency needs are met. Maslow
believed as one becomes more self-actualized and self-transcendent, one becomes wiser.
Norwood (1999) proposed that Maslow's Hierarchy could describe the information individuals seek at
different developmental periods. For example, at the lowest level, an individual may seek out coping
information; when seeking a level of safety, they may seek out helping information. c
One of the most important theories that human service professionals utilize while working with their
clients is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The theoretical framework was proposed by Abraham
Maslow, a well-known American psychologist, in the year 1943. It fundamentally breaks down human
needs into five categories. The psychological needs of humans include food, clothing, shelter, air and
water. The safety needs of individuals include personal security, resources, employment and health.
The needs relating to love and belonginess include friendship, intimacy, and family. The esteem needs
of individuals include self-esteem, status, respect, freedom and recognition. The self-actualization
needs basically deal with a person’s desire to maximize his or her potential (Maslow & Lewis, 1987).
The application of the theory is considered to be of paramount importance in the human services
professional setting since it gives an insight into psychology relating to ‘human motivation.’ By using
the theoretical model, it is possible to identify what might motivate a person to showcase specific
kinds of behavior.
An example where a human services professional can apply Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory
involves a child abuse situation in a family setting. When such an abuse exists, the needs of the victim
(child) get compromised. For instance, the safety needs get affected as the child may be physically,
mentally or emotionally abused. In such a delicate situation, the use of the specific theory can help the
professional to adopt a logical structure to identify the exact needs of the child that have been affected
due to his traumatic experience in the family setting. After identifying the specific needs, suitable
interventions can be adopted so that effective strategies and interventions can be adopted for offering
support and help to the individual at a comprehensive level. The theory can influence the effectiveness
of the intervention that is adopted by a human services professional.
References
Maslow, A., & Lewis, K. J. (1987). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Salenger Incorporated, 14(17), 987-
990.
(Woodside & McClam, 2018).
Woodside, M. R., & McClam, T. (2018). An Introduction to Human Services (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning US. https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9781337671262
